Optic glioma

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Neurofibromatosis I, enlarged optic foramen

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Optic glioma

Alternative Names:

Glioma - optic; Optic nerve glioma

Treatment:

Treatment varies with the size of the tumor and the general health of the person. The goal may be to cure the disorder, relieve symptoms, or improve vision and comfort.

Surgical removal may cure some optic gliomas. Partial removal to reduce the bulk of the tumor is feasible in many cases, which will minimize pressure-induced damage from the tumor.

Radiation therapy may be advised in some cases where the tumor is extensive and surgery is not possible. One newer technique creates a computerized 3D image of the brain and glioma, then irradiates the tumor from many directions. Another promising technique is called proton radiation therapy (PRT). In some cases, radiation therapy may be delayed because of the slow growth that this tumor typically displays.

Corticosteroids may be prescribed to reduce swelling and inflammation during radiation therapy, or if symptoms return.

Chemotherapy could be useful in a number of children. Both cisplatin and temozolomide have shown some benefit in clinical trials. Chemotherapy might be especially useful when the tumor extends into the hypothalamus.

Support Groups:

For organizations that provide support and additional information, see blindness resources.

Expectations (prognosis):

The outlook is highly variable. Early treatment improves the chance of a good outcome. Many tumors are curable with surgery, while others return.

Normally, the growth of the tumor is very slow, and the condition remains stable for long periods of time. However, in adults and some childhood cases where the optic chiasm is involved, the tumor behaves aggressively.

Complications:

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you have any vision loss, painless bulging of your eye forwards, or other symptoms of this condition.

Review Date: 8/14/2004
Reviewed By: Luc Jasmin, MD, PhD, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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